Multiphase Particulate Separation Vacuum

ABSTRACT

A vacuum system for wastewater removal and filtration, comprising: (1) at least one velocity reducing gravity separator, comprising: (a) a water input line; (b) a water velocity reduction mechanism at an end of the water input line; (c) a settling tank; and (d) a water output line; and (2) at least one negative pressure filter pump, comprising: (a) a water input line; (b) a water velocity reduction mechanism at an end of the water input line; (c) a filtration tank; (d) a filter cloth in the filtration tank; (e) a sump pump disposed on an opposite side of the filter cloth from the water input line; (f) a water output line connected to the sump pump; and (g) an air vacuum exit line.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.12/115,923, filed May 06, 2008 entitled “MULTIPHASE SEPARATION VACUUMSYSTEM,” and incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to vacuum systems for wastewaterfiltration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a multiphase separation vacuum that usesthree different types of technologies to remove particulate contaminantsfound in the wastewater of high-pressure water cleaning and removalsystems. The wastewater is vacuumed and then filtered to meet local,state and federal standards prior to its disposal into a sanitary sewersystem.

The present invention provides a vacuum system for wastewater removaland filtration, comprising: (1) at least one velocity reducing gravityseparator, comprising: (a) a water input line; (b) a water velocityreduction mechanism at an end of the water input line; (c) a settlingtank; and (d) a water output line; and (2) at least one negativepressure filter pump, comprising: (a) a water input line; (b) a watervelocity reduction mechanism at an end of the water input line; (c) afiltration tank; (d) a filter cloth in the filtration tank; (e) a sumppump disposed on an opposite side of the filter cloth from the waterinput line; (f) a water output line connected to the sump pump; and (g)an air vacuum exit line.

In various optional embodiments, at least one cartridge filter isconnected to the water output line of the negative pressure filter pump,and a vacuum is connected to the air vacuum exit line.

In various optional embodiments, the water velocity reduction mechanismchanges the direction of the flow of water in the water input line andan inlet to the water output line is positioned below the water velocityreduction mechanism at the end of the water input line. As such, theinlet to the water output line is positioned such that water can notpass in a straight line from the water velocity reduction mechanism intothe inlet to the water output line. This has the effect of keeping waterin the settling tank longer, and slowing its rate of flow (enabling morecontaminants to settle out into the tank).

In various optional embodiments, the filter cloth is positioned at anangle in the filtration tank, and/or the filter cloth is positioned in aconical arrangement in the filtration tank. This has the advantage ofpreventing the filter cloth from clogging with particulate.

The present invention also provides a method of filtering wastewater,comprising: passing the wastewater through a velocity reducing gravityseparator having a settling tank, and a water velocity reductionmechanism to remove sediments from the wastewater; and then passing thewastewater through a negative pressure filter pump having a filtrationtank with a filter cloth therein; while simultaneously vacuuming air outof the negative pressure filter pump and pumping the wastewater out ofthe negative pressure filter pump, wherein the wastewater is forcedunder pressure through the filter cloth. In preferred embodiments, thewastewater existing the negative pressure filter pump comprises passingthe wastewater through at least one cartridge filter.

The present invention is ideally suited for removing contaminants suchas asbestos from wastewater, for example as happens when water is usedfor hydroblasting building structures. In preferred applications, thewastewater may be filtered at levels up to 1 micron. The presentinvention is very versatile as it processes and stores wasteautomatically, while discharging filtered water to a sewer opening. Inone optional embodiment, the present invention is installed on a truckor trailer such that it can conveniently be transported to a work site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of the present system.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional elevation view of the velocity reducinggravity separator.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevation view of the negative pressurefiltration pump.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevation view of a series of cartridgefilters.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the present system mounted for operation ona trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of the present multi-phase particulateseparation vacuum system 10. The present invention comprises a velocityreducing gravity separator 20 and a negative pressure filter pump 40.Optionally, the present invention may also comprise one or morecartridge filters 60 and a vacuum system 70. Taken in sequence, velocityreducing gravity separator 20, negative pressure filter pump 40 andcartridge filter 60 represents three phases of waterfiltration/purification. At the same time, velocity reducing gravityseparator 20, negative pressure filter pump 40 and vacuum system 70represent three phases of air filtration/purification.

During operation, vacuum 70 pulls an air/water mixture into water inputline 21, and then through velocity reducing gravity separator 20. Next,an air/water mixture (that has sediments removed) passes through waterline 29/41 into negative pressure filter pump 40. Air is then vacuumedout through line 48 into vacuum 70, while filtered wastewater issimultaneously pumped out through line 49 (and then passes through oneor more cartridge filters 60). Filtered wastewater is then ejectedthrough a final exit line 69.

In accordance with the present invention, a three stage filtering systemis provided. As seen in FIG. 2, in the first stage, both water and airare filtered as an air/water mixture passes through velocity reducinggravity separator 20, as follows. First, the air/water mixture is entersthrough a water input line 21. Next, the air/water mixture passes out ofa water velocity reduction mechanism 22 at an end of water input line21.

In one preferred embodiment, water velocity reduction mechanism 22changes the direction of the flow of water in the water input line, forexample by 90 degrees (as illustrated). As a result of the mixture'sreduced velocity, contaminant particulates settle out of the air/watermixture, dropping into settling tank 24. Separated water is thenvacuumed out through water output line 29.

In preferred embodiments, the inlet to water output line 29 ispositioned below the water velocity reduction mechanism 22 at the end ofthe water input line 21 (as illustrated). Alternatively, the inlet tothe water output line 29 is positioned such that water can not pass in astraight line from the water velocity reduction mechanism 22 into theinlet to the water output line. For example, as illustrated, the inletto line 29 is facing away from the outlet of velocity reductionmechanism 22. The advantage of both of these features is that it isdifficult for water to pass from line 21 to line 29 without slowing downand spending time in settling tank 24. As such, the water removedthrough line 29 has a large percentage of its contaminants removed (bysettling out) prior to the water exiting the first stage through line29. Specifically, only the top layer of water in settling tank 24 isremoved through water output line 29. Settling tank 24 may be a standard55 gal DOT HAZMAT drum; however, the present invention is not solimited, and other tanks are encompassed by the present invention. Inalternate embodiments, a pair of velocity reducing gravity separators 20may be connected in series such that the water passing therethrough ispurified in sequential steps (i.e.: with higher levels of purity in eachof the sequential settling tanks).

Next, in the second stage, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the air/watermixture passes through water input line 41 into negative pressure filterpump 40. Note: the exit line 29 (FIG. 1) and input line 41 (FIG. 2) areconnected or are one in the same continuous line. As seen in FIG. 2,negative pressure filter pump 40 comprises water input line 41; a watervelocity reduction mechanism 42 at an end of water input line 41; afiltration tank 44; a filter cloth 45 in filtration tank 44; a sump pump46 disposed on an opposite side of filter cloth 45 from water input line41; a water output line 49 connected to sump pump 46; and an air vacuumexit line 48.

As can be seen, filter cloth 45 may be positioned at an angle in thefiltration tank. As illustrated, the angle is about 45 degrees.Moreover, filter cloth 45 may optionally be positioned in a conicalarrangement within filtration tank 44. In one exemplary embodiment,filter cloth 45 is a 125 micron filter cloth. Filter cloth 45 ispreferably mounted on a frame within negative pressure filter pump 40.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is not solimited and that other filter cloths and filtering systems are alsoencompassed within the scope of the present invention.

In operation, the air/water mixture passes out of water velocityreduction mechanism 42 and is projected against filter cloth 45. Asillustrated, sediment that is too coarse to pass through filter cloth 45will simply settle at the bottom of filtration tank 44 (while notblocking or building up against the upper portions of filter cloth 45).Water that passes through filter cloth 45 is then pumped out of wateroutput line 49 by sump pump 46. Preferably, sump pump 46 is equippedwith a back flow prevention valve.

This design is particularly advantageous in that it permits separationof the sediments (by use of filter cloth 45) without the capturedsediments blocking the useable portion of filter cloth 45. As such, thissystem is advantageous over filtering systems which clog up as thesediment builds up against a filter cloth.

In one exemplary embodiment, the body of negative pressure filter pump40 is made out of PVC poly, is 6 feet wide, 40 inches tall and has acapacity of 775 gals. It is to be understood however, that thesematerials and dimensions are merely exemplary and that the presentinvention is not so limited.

In one embodiment, sump pump 46 is equipped with two 6V deep cyclebatteries hooked in parallel making the connection 12V. This 12V poweris fed into a standard 12V to 110V inverter. When the pump switch isactivated, it pulls power from the battery system. A generator unit alsocharges the battery for vacuum 70, and in turn charges the batterysystem. Again, these particular features of the invention are notlimiting, and the present invention encompasses alternative electricalsystems.

The third stage of the present system is different for air and water.Specifically, for air, the third stage is that the air is vacuumed outof vacuum exit line 48 and into vacuum 70 (see FIG. 1). In preferredembodiments, vacuum 70 is a HEPA vacuum. Preferably, vacuum 70 qualifiesfor asbestos and lead removal, surpassing all NESHAP ands AHERAstandards. Optionally, vacuum 70 may have an emergency overflow tank toensure system integrity and provide redundant failsafe measures. A 125Gal tank may be suitable, but the present invention is not so limited.

For water, the third stage is illustrated in FIG. 4, as follows. Thewater exiting line 49 (FIG. 3) then enters water input line 61. Note:exit line 49 (FIG. 3) and input line 61 (FIG. 4) are connected or areone in the same continuous line. Water then passes through one or morefilters 60 (which may optionally be cartridge filters). In one exemplaryembodiment, a plurality of filters 60 comprises a manifold of twodifferent types of cartridge filters operating in series. It is to beunderstood that alternative filter designs are also encompassed withinthe scope of the present invention.

As seen in FIG. 4, filters 60 may comprise plurality of cartridgefilters 60A connected in series to a plurality of cartridge filters 60B.Filters 60A may optionally be a twin bank of 36″ 50 micron filtercartridges. Filters 60B may optionally be General Electric™ Smart Water™water cartridges. Water enters filter system 60 through line 61, passingthrough manifold 62, filters 60A, manifolds 63 and 64, filters 60B,manifold 65 and then exits through line 66. In preferred embodiments,the wastewater is filtered at levels up to 1 micron.

Lastly, as seen in FIG. 5, system 10 may be mounted onto a trailer 80such that it can be driven to a work site.

1. A method of filtering wastewater, comprising: passing the wastewaterthrough a velocity reducing gravity separator having a settling tank,and a water velocity reduction mechanism to remove sediments from thewastewater; and then passing the wastewater through a negative pressurefilter pump having a filtration tank with a filter cloth therein; whilesimultaneously vacuuming air out of the negative pressure filter pumpand pumping the wastewater out of the negative pressure filter pump,wherein the wastewater is forced under pressure through the filtercloth.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein passing the wastewater througha velocity reducing gravity separator comprises passing the wastewaterthrough a water velocity reduction mechanism.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the filter cloth is positioned at an angle in the filtrationtank.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the angle is about 45 degrees.5. The system of claim 3, wherein the filter cloth is positioned in aconical arrangement in the filtration tank.
 6. The system of claim 1,further comprising: passing the wastewater through at least onecartridge filter.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the wastewater isfiltered at levels up to 1 micron.